Cook Islands - Hotel selection feedback

Hello Guys,

Looking at Rarotonga - supposed to be in Tonga right now (leaving last Saturday) but held back due to a family bereavement.... but thats life.

Now changed flights to Rarotonga and leaving in November - keen for your feedback. We are looking at Daydreamer Apartments VS Edge Water Hotel. Does anyone have any feedback regarding these two and what apartment/resort is better?

We are a couple going for a relaxing time and some good snorkling/swimming/tropical fruit!

Totally different types of places. Edgewater is a large resort, about 200 rooms. But not that nice, not a real "resort" except that it has a pool and restaurant, etc. I think it's overpriced. Lagoon is shallow, but OK at high tide.
Daydreamer is a small motel, across the road from a beach, near the Sheraton site (not finished). Beach is OK, but not great.

Check out www.ck, and then look at www.tripadvisor.com . Lots of places in mid-range.

Hello Raro,

Heard about that Sheraton site... what a interesting story behind that!

If you could choose to stay at one of the two and price is identical... what option would you prefer? We on a limited budget ($100 night) and these seem the best option!

Do you still own your resort... I remember hearing about that once!

Looked at Tripadvisor... Not many reviews on Daydreamer (is it new?)

How about neither? What about Paradise Inn, not much for snorkeling, but handy for everything else. Shell & Crafts Beachside Bungalows on Muri is small, but great location next to Pacific Resort and restaurants.

My take on the two you have selected is much the same. If I had to choose I would go with Daydreamer.

Papa Mike

Westie---No, I sold Shangri-La earlier this year. They renamed it Muri Beach Resort. Prices are still about the same.

I agree with Mike, if I HAD to pick one or the other I'd choose Daydreamer. I think it's easier to meet locals at a small place that is owned by a couple (the Youngs). But I'm surprised the Edgewater is only NZ$100/night??

But definitely look around. There are other places that might fit your budget.

Don't get too excited about tropical fruits! I'd like to let you down gently before you arrive, rather than letting you experience the thud of disappointment on arrival... The Cooks are not really endowed with lots of fruits - papaya and bananas are about the only local options at the moment. Mangos are just starting to ripen on Aitutaki, but nothing on Rarotonga yet. Oranges have just about finished for this year. There are always coconuts, but that's about the extent of it! Many people have a mistaken view that this is a veritable garden of eden, but unfortunately it isn't that way in reality. Most fruits you see at resorts are imported. Sorry :-)

Having said that, there are many wonderful things about the Cooks apart from the fruit!